Binibining Pilipinas Universe ‘19 visits Ilocos Norte

Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2019 Gazini Ganados has experienced the best of Ilocos Norte during her two-day tour in the province.

Traveling from Baguio City where she crowned her successor in the first edition of Miss Universe Philippines, Ms. Ganados described her experience getting in Ilocos Norte as “safest possible.”

“We experienced the safest possible that we could because we had antigen swab tests before coming in [Ilocos Norte] and thankfully results were negative. Before leaving Baguio [City] we also had an antigen swab test and the results were also negative so we feel safer than ever,” Ms. Ganados said.

On October 15, Ilocos Norte started accepting tourists from the entire Luzon Island as part of its tourism reopening and rehabilitation, particularly the Phase II of the Ridge and Reef Travel Corridor. It was the first among partner provinces and cities to accept Luzon tourists.

Previously, National and Regional Tourism Chiefs, Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Joseph Francisco Ortega, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, local chief executives of other Region I provinces, the Baguio City Mayor, and all concerned tourism councils, led the launching of Phase I of the “Ridge and Reef” in Baguio City.

On her day one, Ms. Ganados visited the Minor Basilica of Saint John the Baptist and the Shrine of La Virgen Milagrosa, both in Badoc, the Sitio Remedios Heritage Village in Currimao, and the Malacanang of the North and Ilocos Norte Sand Dunes in Paoay.

She likewise took a northbound tour, appreciating the picturesque Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Ilocos Norte Wind Farm, and Pagudpud white sand beach.

Moreover, commenting on Ilocos Norte’s famous “empanada,” Ms. Ganados remarked:

“Natikman ko na ‘yong empanada kanina sa Batac [City] and I loved it kasi you can choose not to include longganisa, as for me I am a pescatarian and vegetarian so we ordered ‘yong [only] with egg and vegetables.

Meanwhile, she also shared some advice to aspiring Ilokana beauty queens, saying:

“Just follow your heart kasi by following your heart, it will lead you somewhere you will be happy. And by being happy, you’ll know that you can achieve the goals you have been hoping for.

Further, Ms. Ganados met with Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and participated in a short video feature.

“Ilocos Norte is now open for tourists. If you guys want a solemn and peaceful solo travel you can always come to Ilocos Norte,” she expressed.－Edison Justin B. Deus, PGIN-CMO